Bush and Blair to meet in new peace push

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US President George Bush is expected to throw his support behind
proposals from the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, for a fresh
peace push in the Middle East.

The two men will met in Washington on Thursday and Friday, with
Mr Blair becoming the first foreign leader to visit the re-elected
President.

Mr Blair has openly campaigned for the revival of the Middle
East talks and in response to Mr Bush's victory has re-emphasised
the urgent need to act in the region.

Mr Blair has used the Middle East as a way of deflecting
widespread criticism of his support of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
But he is concerned that moves for a peaceful settlement between
Israel and Palestine have lost impetus due in part to the US
presidential election.

Former US president George Bush senior, said Mr Blair had been
"heard loud and clear" in Washington.

"Blair is correct, 100 per cent correct," Mr Bush senior told
the BBC. "And I think he will find the President a willing and able
partner, particularly if there is a change in leadership in the PLO
(Palestine Liberation Organisation) that we can deal with more
openly and with more confidence."